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DayZ creator Dean 'Rocket' Hall has over 2,000 hours in Kerbal Space Program and played the original XCOM at Mount Everest base camp: 'I think when I die, I will still be playing that game'
AppWizard
April 12, 2026

DayZ creator Dean ‘Rocket’ Hall has over 2,000 hours in Kerbal Space Program and played the original XCOM at Mount Everest base camp: ‘I think when I die, I will still be playing that game’

Dean Hall, the founder of RocketWerkz, began his gaming journey with a Commodore 64 and developed a passion for computers after a challenging five-hour gaming session. He is currently developing Icarus, a space survival game that has recently become profitable after a difficult launch. Hall has logged 1,400 hours in RimWorld, where he has released two popular mods. He enjoys playing Ostranauts, accumulating at least 150 hours per playthrough, and is looking forward to its upcoming update. Hall has also played the original XCOM for around 600 hours over the past year. He has nearly 5,000 hours in Stationeers, a game developed by his studio, and over 2,000 hours in Kerbal Space Program. His favorite game is Space Station 13, where he plays a character named Colton Murphy. For non-gaming software, he relies on Rider for programming development. Hall maintains a very clean desktop, regularly organizing it for security and efficiency in his game development process.
Tarn Adams, co-creator of Dwarf Fortress, has over 1,400 hours in Factorio and is currently obsessed with terraforming games: 'Dwarf Fortress just doesn't accommodate a full-on sci-fi thing'
AppWizard
April 5, 2026

Tarn Adams, co-creator of Dwarf Fortress, has over 1,400 hours in Factorio and is currently obsessed with terraforming games: ‘Dwarf Fortress just doesn’t accommodate a full-on sci-fi thing’

Tarn Adams is the co-founder of Bay 12 Games and is best known for co-creating Dwarf Fortress, which was released in 2006 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary. He has recently been playing The Planet Crafter, a terraforming game, and has logged 1,454.5 hours in Factorio, a factory-building simulation. Adams does not have a single game he would never uninstall but frequently plays Caves of Qud. He uses Ableton, a music sequencer, as essential non-gaming software. His desktop is about half full with various folders and .txt files, including a nostalgic folder for BASIC games from the '80s.
Latest Steam Freebie Shames You And Your Backlog
AppWizard
April 1, 2026

Latest Steam Freebie Shames You And Your Backlog

Steam users often accumulate a large collection of unplayed games due to enticing sales and discounts. BOXROOM is a game that functions as a design simulator, allowing players to curate a virtual bedroom and import their Steam library, turning digital games into physical boxes for organization. This feature encourages players to confront the reality of their unplayed titles. BOXROOM is set for full release in the second quarter of the year, with a free demo currently available for players to explore.
Pragmata's devs urge players to test out the demo beforehand to figure out whether controller or mouse and keyboard is best for them: 'There are some people who find keyboard and mouse too tricky'
AppWizard
March 18, 2026

Pragmata’s devs urge players to test out the demo beforehand to figure out whether controller or mouse and keyboard is best for them: ‘There are some people who find keyboard and mouse too tricky’

Joining PC Gamer led to a significant change in gaming habits, including the destruction of a PS5 and Switch, while controllers remain useful for certain games. Controllers are essential for titles like FromSoftware games, the Resident Evil series, and others, enhancing the gameplay experience. Director Cho Yonghee emphasized the careful design of control schemes for different platforms, noting that hacking mechanics in Pragmata are more fluid with a controller compared to a mouse. The free Pragmata sketchbook demo serves as a tutorial for essential skills and allows players to experiment with both control schemes. Yonghee acknowledged that preferences vary between players, and both control methods have been optimized for a great experience. Mastering controls is crucial for effectively navigating and combating AI-controlled adversaries in Pragmata.
In two years, PC games will surpass console games in revenue
AppWizard
March 13, 2026

In two years, PC games will surpass console games in revenue

The PC gaming segment is projected to grow at an average annual revenue rate of 6.6% from 2025 to 2028, while the console segment is expected to grow at 4.4% annually. By 2028, combined revenue from console and PC gaming is anticipated to exceed .7 billion, with PC games accounting for over half of this total for the first time in 13 years, up from an estimated .3 billion at the end of 2025. Microtransactions will contribute 48% of PC revenue in 2025, while game sales will make up half of console revenue. In 2025, 20 games generated two-thirds of console revenue across major markets. The PC gaming audience is expected to reach 966 million by the end of 2026 and surpass one billion by 2028, with significant growth from China and other Asian countries. The console gaming audience is projected to grow from 662 million in 2026 to 688 million by 2028. In 2025, gamers spent 1% less time on console and PC games compared to 2024, dedicating 48% of their gaming time to PCs, 34% to PlayStation, and 18% to Xbox. Over half (54%) of playtime in 2025 was on games older than six years, with 33% on titles aged one to five years, and only 13% on new releases. There is a trend among PC users towards less mainstream titles, with 42% of playtime in 2025 spent on games outside the top 20. Popular gaming IPs in 2025 included Roblox, Fortnite, and Call of Duty.
WWE NXT Champ Joe Hendry (and Steam Deck fan) tells us his favorite game — and the surreal experience of being included in WWE 2K26
AppWizard
March 4, 2026

WWE NXT Champ Joe Hendry (and Steam Deck fan) tells us his favorite game — and the surreal experience of being included in WWE 2K26

WWE Superstar and NXT Champion Joe Hendry made a surprise appearance at Wrestlemania 41 as the TNA Champion, accepting an open challenge from Randy Orton. He is featured as the pre-order bonus character for WWE 2K26. The game introduces a MyRise campaign story mode and new match types, including the Inferno fire match. Hendry owns a Steam Deck, PC, Xbox, and PS5, and has a passion for city-building games and classic titles like Warcraft 3 and Final Fantasy 7. WWE 2K26 is set to launch on March 13, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
You could get Crimson Desert and two other games for just $5 in Fanatical's new VIP Mystery Bundle
AppWizard
February 24, 2026

You could get Crimson Desert and two other games for just $5 in Fanatical’s new VIP Mystery Bundle

The game Crimson Desert is set on the continent of Pywel, where players control Kliff, a member of the Greymanes faction. Kliff's journey involves navigating rival groups and mythical creatures after a brutal attack from the Black Bears, aiming to find surviving clan members and confront the Black Bears' leader, Myurdin. The gameplay features fast-paced combat and innovative mechanics, drawing inspiration from various RPGs. Crimson Desert is available for .99 / £4.99 through the Fanatical VIP Mystery Bundle, which includes three Steam keys and the possibility of receiving additional games like Nioh 3 and Resident Evil Requiem.
Fill out our quick questionnaire about your gaming habits and you could nab a $300 Amazon voucher
AppWizard
February 19, 2026

Fill out our quick questionnaire about your gaming habits and you could nab a $300 Amazon voucher

The ongoing survey aims to gather insights into gaming habits for the year 2026 and will remain open until March 8, 2026. Participants could win an Amazon voucher valued at £250. Key stipulations for the prize draw include: participants must be 18 years or older, only residents of the US or UK are eligible (with certain exceptions), each household is allowed one entry, and automated entries are not permitted. The prize draw will start at 12:00 (BST) on February 16, 2026, and end at 12:00 (BST) on March 8, 2026. Late or incomplete submissions will be disqualified.
I can't recognize my favorite League of Legends champions anymore, and I'm sick of it
AppWizard
February 14, 2026

I can’t recognize my favorite League of Legends champions anymore, and I’m sick of it

The author discusses the lack of clarity in champion skins in League of Legends, particularly highlighting the recent Love Confession skin for Riven, which deviates significantly from her established identity. The skin's design lacks the defining features of Riven, such as her rugged femininity and signature markings, leading to community backlash and comparisons to unrelated aesthetics. The author notes a broader trend of champions becoming unrecognizable, raising concerns about Riot's understanding of its characters. This shift reflects a larger identity crisis within the game, as it attempts to attract new fans while straying from its original character-driven appeal. The author expresses disappointment in their changing gaming habits and the game's current direction.
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